Call Us +1-555-555-555

“At the End of Our Streets is Sunrise”

Michael Conley • August 9, 2021

We have certainly been through a dark time in our world, our country, and in our city. And it’s not over, by any means. The continuing upheaval of the pandemic, an ongoing and long overdue racial reckoning, the aftermath of the “me-too” awakening, the exploding reality of the climate crisis—all these and more easily conspire to cast a pall over our collective conscience. And, more locally, San Francisco itself has become a lightning rod for controversy, criticism, and even outright mockery by the national media and especially from arm-chair pundits all over the internet, lampooning the seemingly capricious and bizarre priorities of our School Board, the housing crisis wedded to the crisis of the unhoused, the so-called pandemic exodus, and the larger California-wide problems of an out-of-control cost of living, fires, drought, re-calls, and on and on. How on earth are people of faith expected to worship in such a hostile and unforgiving climate? In Ezekiel, the exiled Israelites put it this way:

 

“By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept

when we remembered Zion.

            There on the willows we hung our harps,

for there our captors requested a song;

our tormentors demanded songs of joy.”

Many of us experienced a wave of hope as vaccination became widely available and re-opening became a reality, only to see that hope tempered by the disappointment of vaccine hesitancy and the rise of the Delta variant. As the saying goes, “Man plans, God laughs.” Though I don’t think God is laughing at our plans. I think God is weeping right along with us at so many examples of justice denied and hope delayed. And to add to all of that, it’s summer, the time of year when many of us are accustomed to notions of recreation, fun in the sun, easy living, barbeques, outdoor events, gatherings, and so on.  Instead, we live in San Francisco, where more often than not, summer means cold winds and gloomy fog. I for one struggle with this upending of summer norms. I dream of lazing on a sultry beach and am instead offered cold nights by the fire.

Still, our Christian tradition teaches us over and over again that hope and faith can and will lead us through even the darkest of times. And this, friends, is certainly NOT the darkest of times. It may seem like it as we slog through the day-to-day disappointments and frustrations that abound. But even in the face of the very real challenges and tragedies of this time and place, we are better equipped and more privileged than people like us at any other time in history. While we’ve been stuck mostly at home for the past year and a half, we have electricity, refrigerators, food delivery, wi-fi, Zoom meetings, “video church”, YouTube, movies on demand, books on demand, and so much more. From the warmth and comfort of our modern homes, we can’t even conceive of living through a time like this the way our ancestors might have had to do. We are morally obligated to remind ourselves of just how lucky we are. In spite of all the challenges we collectively face, we must not lose sight of how far we’ve come. Let it be said that in our “captivity” we did indeed learn new ways to sing songs of joy.

Our collective hope rolls in and out like the fog flows in and out of the Golden Gate. Our faith urges us to accept that ebb and flow, to embrace it. Summer can be delayed in this city by the bay, but summer does come! “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

 

The City By the Sea – San Francisco’ by George Sterling

 

At the end of our streets is sunrise;
At the end of our streets are spars;
At the end of our streets is sunset;
At the end of our streets the stars.

Ever the winds of morning
Are cool from the flashing sea –
Flowing swift from our ocean,
Till the fog-dunes crumble and flee.

 

Photo by Jesper Christiansen on Unsplash  

 

By Rev. Victor Floyd March 30, 2025
The Good Shepherd calls home all of the sheep, even "those" sheep. No matter how far you've wandered, no matter who has tried to separate you from God's fold, Jesus is waiting. It's time for a homecoming. 
A blooming fig fruit on a fig tree
By Rev. Marci Glass March 23, 2025
Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem and his disciples ask him a question as they walk. They want him to answer the questions we always want God to answer for us too—why do bad things happen to good people? Join us as we consider Jesus' answer to the question.
Mary & Martha by Lauren Wright Pittman - A golden, green, and blue depiction of Mary, Martha & Jesus
By Rev. Joann Lee March 16, 2025
The story of Mary and Martha is often painted as a story where one does right and one does wrong. We know, however, that life is often more complicated than that. We know that faith is embodied through being present and taking action—and everything in between. Join us on this second Sunday in Lent as we consider, how can we live along the spectrum of faith and works.
Cover image of the 2024 Annual Report.
By Rachel Wolf March 11, 2025
The 2024 Annual Report
An image of two palms facing each other - text reads
By Rev. Marci Glass March 9, 2025
In today's scripture reading, someone asks Jesus who, exactly, qualifies as a neighbor. Jesus tells the story of a person found half dead on the side of the road, but seen by at least one passerby as half alive, a neighbor worthy of care. Join us as we consider the question for today's world.
The Transfiguration by Augustin Kolawole Olayinka - a colorful triad of men in robes and a halo
By Rev. Joann Lee March 2, 2025
Stay woke! Or we might miss the glory of God (at least according to Luke's gospel). The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the story of Jesus's transfiguration on the mountaintop. But only Luke records that the disciples witnessed this amazing transformation because they had stayed awake. In a time when we are tired and overwhelmed with exhausting news, how can we stay awake to witness what God is doing in the world and in our lives?
A woman kissing the feet of Jesus and wiping them with her hair
By Rev. Marci Glass February 23, 2025
In today's story, a woman washes Jesus' feet with her tears, drying them with her hair. It's an intimate scene. An emotional scene. A costly scene. And it makes the rest of the guests uncomfortable. We don't know her story, but we see her response to Jesus. How do we respond to grace, forgiveness, and second chances? Do we welcome second chances for others or just for ourselves?
“Magnificat” (Luke 1:52-53) by Benjamin Wildflower, man with fist in air stepping on a snake
By Rev. Victor Floyd February 16, 2025
What makes for a trustworthy prophet? Let’s learn a spiritually sound way to vet our current-day prophets. We need clarity—and hope—for these troubled times. And, friends, there is hope!
A black and white image of a billboard that reads 'thank god for immigrants'
By Rev. Marci Glass February 9, 2025
In today's story, Jesus interacts with people outside of his own community, and offers healing to people some would say were unworthy. How do we build community and healing across the lines that divide us?
A bird sitting on top of a sign that prohibits bird.
By Rev. Joann Lee February 2, 2025
Rest and sabbath are necessary. As such, work was prohibited on the sabbath in observance of God's example in creation and commandment in Exodus. But when do our rules hinder rather than promote healing, wholeness, and shalom in our lives? Are Sabbath Day sins allowable in certain circumstances?
More Posts
Share by: